March 24, 2009

Now that you're here, Charlie, it's increasingly hard to find time to journal.  So much has happend over hte past 11 days. 

BaBa and PaPa arrived on the 12th and fell immediately in love with you.  On Saturday the 14th, Daddy went with them to Babies R Us to buy you some boy clothes -- and came back with three huge shopping bags full of clothes and baby gear.  They had so much fun. 

Saturday evening wasn't nearly as fun, though.  You went on a hunger strike that lasted from about 3 in the afternoon until 3 in the morning.  Mommy, Daddy and BaBa were beside ourselves trying to figure out what to do.  I was so relieved when you finally ate, but the relief was short-lived.  After the 3 AM feeding you wouldn't eat again.

We spent much of Sunday morning on the phone with the nurses hotline and finally resorted to pumping and feeding you a bottle around noon.  You started eating again that evening, but Daddy and I went ahead and met with a lactation consultant Monday morning.  Miss Pam helped us resolve some latching issues and helped me to relax.  We've been consistently improving since then.

Tuesday we had your first doctor's appointment.  It went very well.  Dr. Tripp said that you were "perfect."  We have another appointment this Thursday to make sure you're gaining weight.  I'm confident that it will go well with how you've been eating.

On Wednesday we went to a breastfeeding support group held by Miss Pam and discovered that you were eating about 1 1/2 ounces at a time, which is great.  We go back again tomorrow, and I think you will be up to 2 1/2 ounces. 

After group we drove down to Isle of Palms with Daddy, BaBa and PaPa.  BaBa and PaPa are considering taking their family vacation here in Charleston this summer and renting a beach house.   After that you had your first meal at Poe's on Sullivan's Island (one of Mommy & Daddy's favorites) then we were off to the airport to pick up Aunt Ashley. 

She is expecting her first baby in the fall, so you should have a cousin very close to your age -- or maybe two.  Aunt Ashley is pretty nervous that she may be having twins.

We spent Thrusday relaxing -- which was much needed.  You and I are supposed to be taking it easy.

Then Friday we went to the Outlet Mall and bought you a few more cute clothes.  You are pretty well set until you are 9 months old or so.

Saturday we relaxed again and tried to get you some extra time with BaBa and PaPa, because they had to leave for home early Sunday morning.  We spent he rest of the day relaxing with Daddy and Aunt Ashley.

Monday Daddy had to go back to work, so we met him for lunch.  Then we took Aunt Ashley down to the two Baby Bloomers stores in Mt. Pleasant.  It's hard to believe that last fall we were just planning and dreaming and picking out furniture and now you're here!

After we dropped Aunt Ashley off at the airport, we came home and had dinner just the three of us.  It was strange, but nice.  I suppose we'll start getting into a routine.

Today was our first day just the two of us.  We went for a nice walk in your Baby Bjorn and played in your Baby Gym. 

My project for the week is to get you to go down for a nap in your crib, cradle or pack n play without too much crying.  It's very hard to leave you and let you cry yourself to sleep, but it's supposed to be the best thing for you in the long run.   We'll just have to see how I do with some time.

You barely slept at all after your noon feeding, so you were exhausted after your 3:00 and went right to sleep...not sure exactly what this will mean for tonight...

Meeting BaBa

Snuggles with PaPa

First Bath 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

First Smile

Meeting Aunt Ashley

Swingin' Around

Quality time with BaBa

Our Little Gnome

In Love!

March 13, 2009

We are home now.  Daddy and I brought you home yesterday around lunchtime.  You did wonderfully well in the car and seemed to just love your swing when we got home. 

We had a fairly relaxing afternoon until about 4:30 when all of the neighbors started to drop by.  You met Chad's mom, sister and brother-in-law, Lakely's mom, Avery's mom and Garret, and got to see Amanda, Chad and Corrisa again.

Then, the three of us loaded up and went to the airport to pick up BaBa and PaPa.  They were so surprised and excited that you were there to welcome them to Charleston.  As expected, they both fell in love with you at first site -- how could they resist?

Otis is doing extremely well adapting to your arrival.  He's not 100% sure what to think of you, but he's very curious and he loves licking your toes.  I think the fact that you had a rough night last night sleep-wise was a bit confusing for him, but he's doing great.

Today we're all just taking it easy and sharing Charlie time.  It's so nice to have you home with us!

Ready to go!

Buckled Up!

Meeting the neighbors

March 11, 2009

As you can probably tell by the deterioration of my handwriting yesterday, either the medication or the exhaustion kicked in.  To continue:

After you were born, Daddy went over to the exam table with you and you were 22 inches long, 8 lbs. 1 oz and had a 1 minute Apgar score of 8 and a 5 minute score of 9.  Essentially, you were perfect.

As they stitched Mommy back up, Daddy went with you to the nursery where they did hearing tests and blood tests and treated your eyes, and where Daddy got to give you your first bath!

After all that, I met up with you and Daddy in our room.  We were all pretty exhausted by this time -- around 2:00 AM, but Daddy called BaBa and Mommy called Grandma.  They were both so excited to meet you!

Yesterday was a busy first day for you.  They took you to the nursery where you met your pediatrician, plus you and I spent a good part of the day working on breastfeeding.  Despite the learning curve, you've had plenty of wet and dirty diapers, which means that you are getting plenty of nutrients and doing great.

You also had lots of visitors yesterday.  Uncle Chris and Aunt Chrissy brought Carter, Cole, Cade and Camden in the afternoon.  Then Chad & Corrisa brought you a stuffed Marline.  They agreed that you are perfect (luckily they missed your little crying bout in the early afternoon).  Not long after they left, Paul & Sientay arrived with Ben and Eva and chicken sandwiches from Zaxby's.  Then a bit later, Sam showed up and finally, Bob & Donna. 

Everyone was charmed by you and thrilled to meet you, and Daddy and I are so proud to introduce you to everyone.  We are having so much fun!

My boys

So good to finally see you!

Uncle Chris

Aunt Chrissy & Cole

Chad & Corrisa

The Cahoons

March 10, 2009

Well, you decided to make your appearance among quite a bit of drama last night, my little Charlie!

You and I did an amazing job of dialating and effacing.  We were 3 cm by lunch, 6 by mid-afternoon and 8 by early evening -- then it all stopeed.  We stuck at 8 cm until 9:30 that night, and during this time your heartrate would drop down to the 50s and 60s every few contractions.  This was really scary and frustrating for me and Daddy.

Dr. McClusker told us that while we had all done our best, it was time to opt for a c-section.  I was disappointed because I really thought that if we just waited a while longer, maybe we could make it happen naturally -- but Daddy and I agreed that a c-section was the best choice for you.

It didn't take long at all for them to prep me for surgery and before I knew it I was extremely medicated, draped and waiting.  The next thing I knew, Dr. McClusker said, "this baby has linebacker shoulders," and she had a hard time squeezing them through the incision.  Right then I finally admitted to myself how much I wanted you to be a boy -- especially if you have extremely broad shoulders.  And you are!  My perfect little Charles Patrick!

March 9, 2009

We all woke up around 4 AM because Otis was getting sick.  Without getting too technical, I had reason to believe my water broke. 

I laid with Otis for about an hour -- we think he got into something outside yesterday -- and around 5:00 I called the doctor.  She suggested that we go ahead and come in to get checked out, so Daddy and I here, to the hospital, around 6:15 or so, and based on preliminary tests my water has broken, so right now we're just waiting to see what happens next.

Looks like we should meet you face to face in the next day or so.

March 8, 2009

Boy Names

• Edward Patrick (Teddy)
• Henry Patrick
• Daniel Patrick
• Brandon Patrick
• Rhys Patrick
• Tate Patrick
• Quinlon Patrick (Quinn)
• Charles Patrick**

Girl Names

• Ansley Evelyn**
• Annie Evelyn
• Andrea Evelyn
• Courtney Ann
• Courtney Pauline

March 6, 2009

No changes at our doctor's appointment today.  It looks like we have at least a few days left.

That's actually a good thing, because Otis hurt his neck Wednesday and can't turn his head to the right.  He's in an awful lot of pain, but should be feeling better soon according to the vet.  It will be easier on all of us if the Bug is 100% when you arrive.  Shouldn't be long...

March 3, 2009

Two weeks to go!  Everyone keeps telling us that you could come at any time, but I really feel like we have some time left.  It just seems like I would feel different if labor were imminent, but I guess you never know.  We're definitely hoping you come by the 17th or 18th, though -- otherwise BaBa and PaPa wont' get to see much of you before they have to go home. 

Everything will happen when it should though -- it's just so strange knowing that our life is going to change completely very soon, but not knowing when...